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This panel examines how nationalism, public perception, and policymaking shape East Asia's political, economic, and social landscapes. Using diverse methodologies—large-scale surveys, interviews, and text analysis—the papers delve into themes of cultural soft power, civic engagement, economic security, inequality, and demographic challenges. Together, these studies shed light on democratic participation, governance, and national identity in East Asia, offering insights into both domestic and international political implications.

The first paper, “Nationalist Globalization: South Korea’s Soft Power Strategy between China and the United States,” discusses South Korea’s use of cultural diplomacy, driven by nationalism, to navigate its position between China and the U.S. The second, “Reshoring in South Korea” examines South Korea’s reshoring policies aimed at economic security, highlighting challenges in government-business relations affecting policy success.

In “Thou Shall Not Interfere with My Internal Affairs” the third paper analyzes two decades of press conference data to show how China signals its stance on sovereignty, especially in response to powerful states. The fourth, “Petition the Emotion: The Effect of Othering in South Korea’s Petitions,” reveals how ‘othering’ language in petitions mobilizes public support, challenging assumptions that petitions serve only self-interest.

The fifth paper, “A Sense of Injustice, Inequality Perceptions, and Preferences for Redistribution,” explores why rising inequality doesn’t always lead to demands for redistribution, finding perceived injustice a stronger driver of support than income disparities. Finally, “Children or No Children? The Rejection of Parenthood in Taiwan” investigates Taiwan’s rising childlessness, showing how generational, economic, and gender pressures influence young adults’ choices to remain childless.

Together, these papers illuminate how nationalism, public opinion, and policy strategies shape governance and societal trends in East Asia, offering valuable perspectives for understanding the region’s current and future dynamics.